Frequently Asked Questions About Attorney Service Bureaus The following are some frequently asked questions about attorney service bureaus:

Why should I hire an attorney?There are specific ways in which legal matters, and the documents that accompany them, need to be handled. All attorneys have spent years in law school. They have the knowledge and experience required to completely and accurately manage legal matters. You can represent yourself in a case, but your chances of winning the case – especially in a timely manner – are not as good if you do not have an experienced professional on your side.

How do I know which attorney service bureau to go with?The attorney service bureau you select should, of course, be licensed. Its attorneys should be well educated and approved to practice law in your state. Some attorneys are specialists, so make sure you choose a lawyer with relevant knowledge and experience. A personal injury lawyer is not a good choice if you are dealing with a divorce. An attorney service bureau’s reputation is among its most important qualities. Always research an attorney service bureau before contacting the firm. This website is an excellent resource for client reviews.

What kind of training should an attorney have?Completing law school and passing the bar examination are both absolutely necessary for an attorney. While each state varies in its requirements for businesses, an attorney service bureau will need to have some sort of license in order to conduct business. Most importantly, the attorney you select should have plenty of relevant experience.

How much do attorney service bureaus charge?Each attorney service bureau will charge differently. Most court cases are billed by the hour. Hourly fees may be influenced by urgency of the matter, distance the lawyer must travel to deal with details of the case, and whether certain aspects of the case can be managed by a paralegal or other office aide. All clients billed on an hourly basis will be expected to pay a retainer. A retainer is a lump sum paid immediately to an attorney for his or her services. Think of this as a nonrefundable deposit for legal advice and representation.

American Bar AssociationIf you are looking for attorneys or service bureaus anywhere in the nation, we can help you find a reputable firm. Just look through our association's directory of attorneys and law firms.

Attorney service bureaus employ many different individuals in order to support lawyers and their clients in effectively filing and prosecuting cases.

The most common employee that attorney service bureaus offer is a paralegal. These clerks play a vital role in any lawsuit, as they are they ones doing much of the background work. Legal secretaries and assistants can attend schools accredited by the American Bar Association in order to receive training on effective research, understanding of court proceedings, rush filing of claims and lawsuits for a firm, and processing paperwork with the courthouse. After graduating, legal assistants can either choose to take and exam to become a CLA (certified legal assistant) or RA (registered paralegal).

Attorney service bureaus will usually employ process servers and private investigators as well. Process servers deliver writs of the court to the specific individuals. They may deliver messages, legal documentation, subpoenas, and other writs. Often, they will have to have specific documentation to prove that the paperwork was delivered to the correct individual. Private process servers must undergo and pass a certification program in order to work in most states. Private investigators, on the other hand, may never have direct contact with the client or person of interest in the case. PIs perform services like skip tracing, checking background records of witnesses, locating missing persons, and other investigative services. Private investigators are required to possess licenses for each state that they work in.

These, and many other employees working together, aid law firms in performing successful, well-informed suits.